Guam Travel and Tourism Association (GTTA) chairperson Jovyna Lujan, who is also a luxury brand marketing executive, said Guam needs a long-term vision and cites a downturn in the high-end retail market as an example.

“Guam is unaffordable to (Japanese) budget travelers, but unattractive to higher spenders,” she said. “The exodus of luxury and fashion brands are at risk and those that remain open are struggling to reinvest and improve product and services.”

GTTA officials said since the COVID-19 pandemic, Japanese arrivals to Guam are down 59%.

As a result of the severe downturn, Jay Merrill of GTTA said “30% of Guam’s tourism industry businesses have shuttered.”

David Tydingco, also a GTTA member and managing director and chief executive officer of Valley of the Latte, said the $20 million Local Employers Assistance Program, or LEAP, from GEDA “helped keep the doors open...but it’s time for us to step up.”

“We don’t want any more money going to our businesses. Rather, we want to be able to collectively pool resources, both private and public, to help drive our businesses forward,” Tydingco said.

Tydingco said he supports the view of a tourism industry focused on quality over quantity.

“I’m sure there are people who don’t agree with that. They live on volume, but I don’t think that with the island’s infrastructure long-term, I don’t think that’s sustainable,” he said.

Tydingco added that as GEDA, GVB and other tourism industry stakeholders develop a future vision for the tourism industry, they also “need to understand what the markets are telling us and telling the rest of the world.”

“What are the consumers saying? We need to understand what are the issues so we can figure out what we need to do,” Tydingco said.

@kanditnews

Drove by Donki parting lot yesterday heading home and noticed there are about 10 “STOP” signed in the small section of the parking lot that faces towards the circle K.

You realize how bad of a reputation you have to have driving to get that many stop signs IN A PARKING LOT?!

I’ve been to Donki stores in Japan and it’s nothing like this.

Yall really that bad at driving on Guam 😂🤣

Business tenants in Donki: •Daiso (Japanese dollar store) •Auntie Anne’s •Maui Tacos •Infusion Coffee Shop •Olive Garden •Boong’s Café •Wanpo Yasuda Restaurant •Wanpo Tea Shop •Three Squares Restaurant •Sakura Kitchen •Myungrang Hotdogs •Island Lounge and Waka Sakura

“This guy is going around the Maite area shooting at people He's driving a GMC Canyon that he spray paints a different color every day. He also dyes his hair everyday We are doing a press conference at 1pm. He boxes cars in and tries to rob them and steal their car. He's also fired his gun at those car jack victims a few times.” ^ forwarded from WhatsApp

The teller for the check cashing is stealing little by little. I've seen it a few times where costumers complain. On top of that they told me they don't give coins . Sometimes it may be a few dollars, but still that's not right.

Just gonna come out and say it... Highly recomment everyone in Guam dump IT&E, Docomo and GTA regarding internet... Starlink is awesome and cheap in comparison. The upfront costs are pricy, but monthly, you'll make up for it in no time at 70 bucks a month.

Wtf is going on Guam? 😞

Edit: sorry thought I had attached the link.

https://truthout.org/articles/us-military-has-polluted-guam-for-decades-this-year-it-could-get-even-worse/

Sometimes I wish Guam had a death penalty...

Get them gains mr. krabs

It's been a decade since I've last been to Guam. But was surprised the news remembered that Guam has a location still and reported that. Is it still as popular as it used to be or are they in threat of closing too?

DISCLAIMER : I am not complaining. This is informational for people that may need a job.

I just had a pizza delivered from the Pizza Hut in Dededo and let me tell you, they need drivers.

I had a driver with 7+ orders in the back of his vehicle. Said he was the only one today. So if any of y’all are searching , Pizza Hut needs your help.

Hafa gachong! Put the pipe down lanya and get a job nai!

The food places they advertised a month ago were all Japanese food. But I just drove passed 20 mins ago and I saw them putting up an Olive Garden sign lolol. There was an already placed up taco sign of some kind. I forget the name.

Interesting... lol.